What you can do at home

Cutting your energy use, travel and waste and choosing more climate-friendly products not only helps the environment but can save you money too!

Energy

  • Replace your lights with energy efficient compact fluorescent light globes or LEDs. These are available at hardware stores, supermarkets and specialty eco-product stores. Switch lights off in rooms when note being used.
  • Switch appliances off at the switch to save standby power
  • Only use dryer if necessary – use the clothesline if you have one.
  • Get rid of your second fridge – for cash! It’s easy through the Fridge Buyback program.
  • Choose energy efficient electrical and whitegood appliances - use the Energy Rating label to guide you. Go to Energy Rating website for more information. Also available on this site is a product comparison data base, which will give you information on energy use and running costs of each product.
  • Select an energy efficient hot water heater such as solar, gas or heat pump. The state government currently has a grant available for solar hot water or heat pump systems. The federal government is also offering rebates of up to $1600.
  • Get ceiling insulation and fill gaps around windows and doors. The federal government is offering rebates of up to $1600 for the installation of ceiling installation. The government is also providing help for renters, with a rebate for landlords and tenants on the costs of insulating rental properties.
  • Consider installing solar power on your roof to generate free greenhouse-free electricity. The Federal Government has a Solar Credits scheme in place for households and businesses, and in 2010 the NSW Government has introduced a Solar Bonus Scheme which together make solar power more affordable than ever before!
  • Switch to accredited Green Power – energy from accredited renewable sources. The Green Energy Watch can help you choose a supplier.
  • Green Loans of up to $10,000 over 4 years are available to households for energy efficient products such as lighting, as well as renewable energy options such as solar hot water and solar power.

Travel

  • Try to walk, cycle and use public transport more often. It’s a great excuse to get fit.
  • If buying a new car, check the Green Vehicle Guide to compare fuel economy and greenhouse emissions
  • Offset your air travel and driving emissions through companies which invest in tree planting, energy efficiency and renewable energy. A regular assessment of offset products available in Australia can be viewed at the Carbon Offset Guide Australia.

Waste

  • Recycle your paper/cardboard and plastic/glass bottles and containers.
  • Recycle your old appliances, computers and other E-waste at one of Council's biannual E-waste Collection Days.
  • Compost your food waste or use a wormfarm (perhaps you could have a joint one with neighbours!)
  • Before making a purchase ask 'Do I need it?' or 'Can I borrow it'.
  • Go for good quality and long lasting goods rather than cheap, throw away items.
  • Choose products with the least amount of packaging, or with recyclable packaging.
  • When food shopping, take a list and stick to it to avoid food waste. See Love Food Hate Waste for more great ideas.
  • Hold a clothes swap party or keep an eye out for one of Council's swap parties.
  • Buy locally produced and seasonal foods to help reduce emissions from transport of food (food miles).

Other Links

  • Visit the Australian Conservation Foundation’s GreenHome site and discover simple ways to make a difference at home - from saving energy and water, as well as reducing waste, to creating a sustainable garden, green shopping and cleaning.

  • Have a look at these presentations from our recent Sustainable Units and Apartments workshop - Sydney Water, Energy Australia and Green Strata Management.